Compassionate Canines Programs
St. Charles Medical Centers at Bend and Redmond
Volunteering at St. Charles and sharing your beloved dog with others is one of the most rewarding volunteer opportunities available. For new therapy dog handlers, Central Oregon Community College offers Pet Partner Team Training through its Community Learning Program.
To become a St. Charles dog therapy volunteer:
- Become a St. Charles volunteer
- Have a current therapy dog registration through Pet Partners, Therapy Dogs International or Alliance of Therapy Dogs
- Complete orientation and supervised visits with an authorized and experienced therapy dog team
- Bathe dogs within 24 hours prior to each visit
- Show that dogs are at least 2 years old and have a current rabies certificate
For more information, please contact St. Charles Volunteer Services at 541-706-2657.
St. Charles Therapy Dogs Video
Partners In Care HosPet
The HosPet program at Partners In Care features nurturing registered therapy dogs and dedicated volunteers who bring pet therapy to our hospice patients at home, in local care facilities, and in our Hospice House.
These qualified hospice volunteers and their therapy pets create an opportunity for socialization and comforting interaction, often reducing anxiety, sometimes promoting physical movement, and usually opening lines of communication. Pet therapy positively impacts the lives of those who are ill, grieving or withdrawn.
To learn more about our HosPet program, contact us at (541) 382-5882 or visit our website at partnersbend.org
Elk Meadow Elementary School DOG TALES
Reading Partner Teams are assigned two kids with each having their own 30 minutes to be shared with you and your dog. Reading Partner Teams have the opportunity to become an important part of a 4th or 2nd grade kid's life. Volunteering for the DOG TALES program is about making a connection and a difference with your dog by your side. Reading Partners with a Tail support young readers on a weekly basis for the entire school year. Compassionate Canines therapy dog teams have been volunteering at Elk Meadow Elementary School for 14 years!
Behavior Transition Program
Behavior Transition Program is a specialized education program for children K-3 at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend that do not fit in to a regular classroom setting due to behavior constraints. Two Therapy Dog teams visit the classroom weekly and read one-on-one with the students. The teams are well versed in dealing with children who sometimes display no impulse control, have trouble dealing with anger and frustration, and are prone to outbursts and melt downs. The teachers and the students look forward to the teams visits, and the teachers feel that they are a godsend. Behaviors have improved, and the opportunity for the children to be gentle and appropriate around the therapy dogs has been a huge motivator for positive change.
High Schools
Therapy animal teams are scheduled to visit Bend area high schools. The teams typically visit once per week. Depending upon the school, the teams visit study halls, classes and special events to provide stress relief, reduce anxiety and improve emotional mood.
Central Oregon Community College Pet-A-Pup Stress Relief Day
Our Compassionate Canines participate in Pet-A-Pup, one of the favorite events each quarter during Stress Relief Week for the students at COCC. One day during the week before finals the students can come by for a quick visit with our dogs, or spend the afternoon petting the dogs, relaxing, catching their breath and letting go of the tension of cramming for tests. Some students come back each quarter just to see the dogs.
OSU Cascades Pause-4-Paws Stress Relief Day
The OSU Office of Student Life sponsors Pause-4-Paws Stress Relief Day to help students relax before finals week. With finals approaching students can feel the stress growing. Students come to cuddle our therapy dogs to forget their stress.
Click here to watch our canines cuddling with OSU students.